MEMBER PROFILE

Robert Berkley, Your Daily Soup

A few years ago, Robert took a realistic look at business growth and decided he needed a financial boost for expansion. He owns his home, free and clear, and decided a Home Improvement Loan was a good choice to get the funds he needed. "I had to get all new kitchen appliances&mdsah;everything from a stove to a microwave—and a new roof also."

"Alternatives made it so easy—I felt like they answered my questions before I even asked them." Robert says of his experience. "I was already in a good place with my business. I just needed to get to the next level. Without the loan from Alternatives I couldn't have done it. I was able to make the home improvements I needed, and have money to buy the necessary equipment to expand my business to include ice cream and sorbet."

Upcoming Courses and Events
This fall, both of our entrepreneurship courses will be offered!

"Getting Down to Business" — the A to Z of starting your biz!
This is our intensive "start-up boot-camp" course, which gives a comprehensive overview of the business start-up process.  We have recently revamped the curriculum, making the course shorter while retaining all the essential information you need!  We'll cover business plans, finance, marketing, legal issues, taxes and more.

Right for you if:
- you have a definite business concept that you are committed to
- you are ready to move forward with your business planning process
- you hope to get your business off the ground within the next 8 months
- you have very recently started a business and need help
- you are able to commit to an intensive, nine-week course with outside research and homework

When:  Wednesdays, Sept. 10 - Nov. 5
Time:  6:00-9:00 PM
Where:  Alternatives' 2nd floor conference room
Cost: sliding scale, $80-300
Registration required: begins August 1; contact Leslie

"Are You Ready for Business?" — exploring entrepreneurship!
This is a three-session introductory course that will give prospective entrepreneurs an overview of the responsibilities and demands of business ownership. Topics include business concept screening, researching a business idea, the functional areas of business, resources for business planning, basic market assessment, personal and financial readiness, and much more!

Right for you if:
- you are tossing around several business ideas that you're thinking about
- you have a definite business idea but aren't sure if you want to go forward
- you are still in the "information-gathering" phase
- you don't plan to start your business for another year or more
- you are just beginning to think about entrepreneurship and want to know more

When: Tuesdays, Oct. 21 - Nov. 4
Time:  6:00-9:00 PM
Where:  Alternatives' 2nd floor conference room
Cost:  sliding scale, $30-90
Registration required:  begins Sept. 1; contact Leslie